• Home
  • About
  • Tutorials
  • Recipes
  • Furniture
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Infertility
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

  • Home
  • About
  • Tutorials
  • Recipes
  • Furniture
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Infertility
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • Shop

Leah’s Checkerboard End Table–and a Friggin AWESOME Stencil!

August 1, 2012 by Bethany Sy

For some reason, lately, when I sit down to write a post… my first thought is to write the words “as it turns out…”  I think I started a post this way last week, and subconsciously I must think it sounds really intellectual or something.

Anyway.

As it turns out, I have a little makeover to share today! We did an end table and desk for a client (who’s on her way to pick them up now!), and we just love how they turned out! Today we’re going to show you her end table! Here’s the before:

The before- wooden end table

We did all the regular prep work… sanding, priming, and painting white. But here’s the fun part! We taped out a grid on the top surface, as well as that bottom shelf surface.

Fun grid painting project

And using a razor, cut out every other square to make a checkerboard! Super easy yo.

Use a razorblade to cut the squares

Then, we taped off everything but the top to protect the body of the end table from overspray.

Prepping for checkerboard painting

We painted her RED (per Leah’s request), and started peeling off the squares of tape!

Carefully peel off the tape

We repeated this process on the bottom ledge!

Repeat the process for the lower shelf as well

Such a simple little easy update can give a piece some serious custom attitude!

So easy, and SO much impact!

Not bad, eh?

But WAIT! Our girl Dana designed and cut us a stencil to BRAND the bottom of our pieces. I’m sort of crazy-excited about this…

Custom stencil

That girl might as well be an honorary Graphic Designer, cause she’s that creative.

Spray paint stencil

This way, 50 years down the road… people will know who to blame for painting perfectly good pieces of furniture, and cursing us as they strip and sand away. (evil laugh!)

Final stencil

Isn’t that the coolest thing ever? I wish we’d had something like this a long time ago. There are so many of our sweet pieces out there floating around with no evidence that they’re our ‘artwork’! But that’s ok. From now on, we’re BRANDING our livestock furniture!!

Here’s one last gander at Leah’s sweet ‘new’ end table!

Before and after checkerboard end table

Happy Hump Day!

About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

« A confession.
WHERE to look for furniture to fix up! »

Comments

  1. 14

    Beth @ Reality Daydream says

    February 16, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    oooo such a brilliant idea! And i loooove the lego idea! Pleeeease send pics when you’re done! 🙂

    Reply
  2. 15

    Patti Feinberg says

    December 16, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    I just bought a cheap 19.23″ ‘end table’ (partical board). I would love to paint a ‘checker-board’ type style, but maybe 4″x4″ red & black. Any suggestions (BTW, when it comes to the ‘C’ word…I usually FLEE) {C word being CRAFT-aaahhhhh}.

    Reply
    • 16

      Beth @ Reality Daydream says

      December 20, 2015 at 3:09 pm

      You can do it Patti! Do just like we did in this tutorial, only with your larger 4″ squares. It will be awesome! Please send pics when you’re done!

      Reply
  3. 17

    Anonymous says

    June 20, 2013 at 12:17 pm

    do you do a round table the same way?

    Reply
    • 18

      Beth @ Sawdust and Embryos says

      June 21, 2013 at 12:00 am

      Sure! You could have the checkers go all the way out to the edge, or you could just have a square part of the tabletop that’s checkered. If you try it, send us pics!

      Reply
  4. 19

    Nine Red says

    August 9, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    I love how this came out! Just a tip that I’ve learned recently, (if you even need it!) sometimes with tape I get a little leak through.. so I read somewhere that if you do your first layer in the color underneath (in this case, white) the leaks will all be the same color as under the tape, hiding them. Then do your red. Nice work!

    Reply
    • 20

      smyleefacewink says

      January 13, 2014 at 12:31 am

      That my friends, as it turns out, is the TIP OF THE DAY!! Thanks for sharing! And LOVE the table Nick and Beth!

      Reply
  5. 21

    Tobey says

    August 3, 2012 at 2:24 am

    How cute is that table, you guys make things sound so easy to do but I know that was alot of work. What a transformation from the before pic to the after, love the red checkers and branding is very stylish.

    Reply
  6. 22

    Cheryl D says

    August 1, 2012 at 10:33 pm

    I LOVE THIS TABLE!!!! It turned out super cute. You guys are very talented and have such fantastic ideas to inspire !!!!

    Reply
  7. 23

    Mekenzie @ Interiors by Kenz says

    August 1, 2012 at 7:31 pm

    As it turns out, I love following your blog.

    And that table? So sassy! Love it!
    I also love that stencil-banding.

    Reply
  8. 24

    Anonymous says

    August 1, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    so fun! you folks are amazing. Mary in NY

    Reply
  9. 25

    brenda says

    August 1, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    sweet!! ok what about my chandy?? can’t wait! lol.
    Brenda

    Reply
  10. 26

    Renee says

    August 1, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Sweet table and really sweet “brand”! Should have done that a long time ago!

    Reply
  11. 27

    Ally says

    August 1, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    Good idea to “brand” your products. You ought to take the credit for your work.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube
We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
Please feel free to share or pin my posts! You're welcome to use ONE of my images (no collages or pinnables) with a link back to the corresponding post. Please do not edit or crop that single image in any way. Improper use of my photos, ideas or words is a violation of copyright. Thank you!

Categories

Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

 

Copyright © 2025 · Modern Blogger Pro On Genesis Framework · Customizations by Sweet Theory Designs · Privacy Policy · Log in